1997 Dr. Julio and Amalia Palmaz purchased the Cedar Knoll winery in Napa, Ca. They then proceeded to build an 100,000 square-foot underground wine operation, despite neighbors protests, estimated to cost $20 million. Dr. Palmaz was internationally know for inventing the balloon-expandable coronary stent. In 2008 Palmaz Vineyards produced some 6,000 cases of Cabernet and 1,000 cases of white wines costing from $32 to $150 a bottle.
(SFC, 1/2/09, p.W8)